The Undercurrent

Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Sarah Maslonka Practice makes perfect - Junior Kody Kaster and sophomore Julian Mancha practice Thursday as they prepare for their second meet of the year, the Dakota Wesleyan Open in Mitchell, S.D.

Media Credit: Brittany Johnson

Facing a wide variety of talent from various schools of various sizes, the Buena Vista University (BVU) wrestling team opened up their season with a solid performance on Saturday at the Kaye Young NIACC Open in Mason City. BVU had grapplers finish sixth or better in all but one weight class.

Senior Josh Murray led the Beavers with a first place finish at the 174-pound weight class by defeating Josh Ghobadpoor of Dana College (Neb.) in a 15-8 decision. To get to the championship match, Murray defeated Enock Francois of Northwestern College (Iowa), Jameon Rush of Hastings College (Neb.), Tony Ponce of Dana College (Neb.) and Onni Prestidge of Ellsworth Community College. Murray was excited about his strong finish so early in the year.

"It felt real good," Murray said. "It's a prerequisite of things to come."

Junior Joey Verschoor took second at 157 after losing a 7-4 decision to Dan Prey of Dana College. Earlier in the day, Verschoor defeated Brad Kruse of Iowa State, DaVaughn Perkins of NIACC and Steve Batista of the University of Dubuque in order to advance to the championship match. Assistant Coach Sevond Cole was pleased with Verschoor's first performance in a long time.

"This was his first tournament since, really, high school," Cole said. "You never know how these things are going to go sometimes. He really proved himself."

At 184, junior Austin Hayes took third place in an 8-1 decision over Jeremy Hanson of Hastings College. Hayes felt satisfied with his first performance of the season.

"I thought I did pretty well," Hayes said. "There's things I need to work on, but I though I did pretty well for the beginning of the season."

Junior Brian Stueve took third place at 184 by defeating Jon Wilbourne of Dana College in an 11-5 decision. Stueve actually defeated Wilbourne to start the day, winning by fall at 2:25. At 125, first-year Mike Millie advanced to the third-place match, but had to forfeit to Collin Pitts of St. Olaf College (Minn.) due to a fractured jaw.

At 165, junior Kody Koster finished fourth on the day after falling to Thomas Kopietz of St. Olaf College (Minn.) in a 6-4 decision. Junior Ryan Pratt (133) took fifth on the day by defeating Danny Mainus of Colby Community College (Kan.) in a 12-8 decision. Sophomore Luke Satern defeated Dan Rysavy of St. Olaf College (Minn.) for fifth place by fall at 0:15. Finally, at 149, first-year Codey Shultz took sixth place after falling to Kurt Simon of Ellsworth Community College in an 8-4 decision.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools